en and decorated with candles and flowers. A feast of rich dishes rested along t

I felt like Dylan, and I were supposed to be the mirror image of our Alpha and Luna, but creeping shame built in me. I couldn't help noticing how

talked to his father about pack business. The only time I managed to speak

be thinking as they watched us. My skin crawled, and I felt as if the whole

lan reception room of our Alpha and Luna's house. The building was a converted barn, but none of its agricultural roots showed. The airy, high-ceilinged space woul

ght. But I was uncomfortable because Heather had given it to me. She'd told me she'd worn it at her Moon Ceremony, saying it would mean a lot if I wore it tonight. But now, i

's voice sounded beside me, "Do you thi

pposite, was tucking into his third plate of red meat. The man had terrible gout but was notoriously bad

en tonight's saving grace, the only th

Alpha, pushed back his chair. He tapped the side o

s no reason for my nervousness. T

f in making my speeches lik

as about to be dropped into the limelight. Heather's eyes met mine, a warm smile on her face as if to say we had so much in co

eyes staunchly turned away from me. Sadness cloye

pier than seeing the whole pack together and having

we're all gathered together. Nuu-Chah has made it known to me that our wonderful Cherry will soon officially join our

rious thumping seemed to compete with th

y were raising their glasses to drink to Dylan and me. "To Cherry

enched. Tension stiffened his wide shoulders

to swallow me whole.

beneath everyone's scrutiny. I imagined what they must be thinking. Their unspoken words seemed to buzz in my head. "Our future Alpha doesn't eve

already shaking hands with his father, who clapped him on the b

l not

see it as a dress rehearsal for the real day, or you're welcome t

d to say, "I love it. I'd

at me with to